Reflexology 101: The Healing Touch
NEWS now offers reflexology! We’re excited to add this new service to our menu to better assist our clients on their journey towards natural healing. Since there’s a lot of confusion and misinformation about reflexology out there, read on to find out what this procedure is all about and how it can help you.
What is Reflexology?
Reflexology is a system of holistic therapy where practitioners apply pressure to specific regions of hands and feet. The practitioner is often a registered massage therapist or another type of physical therapist. Sometimes, they are simply known as “reflexologists.” These foot regions correspond to different organs and systems within the body. When reflexology is done correctly, it may help alleviate pain and other types of ailments in other areas of the body.
The roots of reflexology go back to ancient Egypt and China, although William H. Fitzgerald, an ear, nose, and throat doctor, introduced the concept of “zone therapy” in 1915. American physiotherapist Eunice Ingram continued to develop the zone theory in the 1930’s, and this is the modern reflexology treatment that’s popular today.
The underlying theory behind reflexology is that there are “reflex areas” on the feet and hands that are connected energetically to specific organs and body parts.
When we manipulate these energy channels in the body, we stimulate nerve endings and encourage whole body healing. The reflexologist applies pressure to these reflex areas, thus removing these “energy blockages” in areas of the body that cause pain and discomfort.
Manual stimulation of these reflex areas on the foot can promote digestive healing, hormonal balancing, and more. Some examples of reflex areas and their corresponding body parts include the tips of the toes and the head, the ball of the foot and the heart/chest, and the arch of the foot with the heart, liver, and kidneys. The heel corresponds to the low back and intestines.
According to reflexologists, pressure on the reflex points also helps to balance the nervous system and stimulates the release of endorphins. It is these endorphins that help to reduce pain and stress.
What Can I Expect During a Reflexology Session?
A typical treatment is 30 to 60 minutes long. Every treatment begins with a health history intake and a consultation about your health and lifestyle. Our reflexologist Erin is also an R.M.T. and can combine reflexology treatments with deep tissue massage. Erin is a certified reflexologist with over 100 hours of clinical education.
First, Erin will assess your feet and stimulate various pressure points, focussing on areas of tenderness or tension. Then she will identify the corresponding region of the body that is out of balance before she begins massaging. After this, she will start to apply finger or thumb pressure to the foot using specialized reflexology techniques.
What Conditions Can I Treat With Reflexology?
Reflexology alleviates numerous types of chronic health conditions:
- Stress and stress-related conditions
- Migraines/tension headaches
- Insomnia and anxiety
- Digestive disorders
- Arthritis
- Hormonal imbalances
- Sports injuries
- Menstrual disorders (PMS, cramping)
- Back pain
We encourage you to call our office if you have any further questions about this treatment. For pricing, head to our list of massage services.
New at News: Our Clinic is Growing!
Welcome to this new season at Niagara’s Elite Wellness Spa
This fall at NEWS, we’re introducing more elite services to keep you looking and feeling your best. From chiropractic care to PRP facials, read on to find out how you can take advantage of our elite list of services.
Our New Chiropractor
NEWS welcomes Dr. Laura Custode to our team of health practitioners. With the addition of chiropractic care to the clinic, our wellness center is now complete.
Dr. Laura attended Brock University and earned her undergraduate degree in kinesiology. Afterwards, she continued her education at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto and completed four years of intensive study. During that time, she completed an internship and finally graduated with her Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree in 2018. She has additional certifications in functional integrated acupuncture, Typaldos manual therapy, muscle release techniques and rehabilitation (MRT), and soft tissue training.
As a chiropractic doctor, Dr. Custode can diagnose and treat numerous types of muscle, joint, and skeletal issues. She may also recommend customized orthotics or compression stockings to enhance chiropractic therapy.
Dr. Custode is now accepting new patients and looks forward to working with you in the future!
N.B.: please be aware that we direct bill to insurance companies and accept WSIB and MVA (motor vehicle accident) claims.
PRP: What’s It All About?
For those who have reservations about traditional botox and Fillers, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a safe and effective way to boost your skin’s natural production of collagen and elastin.
You’ve probably seen it all over the web: the “vampire facial” is the hottest new anti-aging craze, with celebrities like Kim Kardashian promoting its ability to improve skin texture, minimizes wrinkles, and reduce fine lines around the eyes.
PRP stimulates collagen production in multiple parts of the face and body. It can also be used on the scalp to help with balding and chronic hair loss.
PRP (short for Platelet Rich Plasma) is a specialty cosmetic treatment that uses your own blood to help aid your skin’s natural self-healing process. This results in the natural production of collagen and elastin wherever the plasma is injected. Instead of putting foreign substances like botox or derma fillers in your face, you are using platelets and plasma from your own body to boost cell renewal.
So how can you take advantage of this wonderful technology? Essentially, you have two PRP treatment options:
1) PRP with micro-needling: this is the “vampire facial” procedure that uses a motorized micropen to create small punctures on the surface layer of the skin so that it easily absorbs the plasma.
2) PRP injections: the plasma is injected directly into the area of concern (lips, cheeks, undereye) to increase plumpness and volume, mimicking tradition derma fillers like Restylane.
Spa Spotlight: Fall Pedicures & Lush Berry Nails
Besides pumpkin-spiced lattes and oversized sweaters, there’s nothing more comforting than a hot stone foot massage! This fall, we’re promoting our signature “Elite” pedicure to help you stay warm and settle into the season.
Hot stones are highly therapeutic and can help alleviate muscle tightening and tension while increasing blood circulation in the feet and calves. Add a paraffin wax treatment and you’ll have happy, relaxed feet that won’t ache for weeks!
We also have a wonderful new selection of fall colours in stock. Reds, berries, plums, burgundies—we have ‘em all! We also picked up some new fall colour-changing shellacs that are just fabulous.
Pair your pedi with a complimentary coffee or cappuccino to make this experience even more delicious.
Free Forma PLUS with any Forma Face Procedure!
We’re giving away a free session of Forma PLUS!
NEWS is happy to offer this exciting promotion during the month of June. Forma PLUS is a laser treatment that improves the skin’s overall texture and tones and tightens sagging skin on the body. It works by sending radio frequency currents to the deeper layers of the skin, promoting new growth of collagen tissue underneath. In just one session, Forma boosts collagen production by up to 20%. This is non-invasive body remodelling at its finest!
Ideally, Forma PLUS therapy requires 4-6 sessions for optimal results, but even after 1 single treatment, the flabby skin around problem areas like legs, thighs, and the abdomen will look more toned and refined!
The best part about this promotion is that you’ll get those same results on your face! Combining a Forma facial with a Forma PLUS body treatment will give you truly remarkable results that will having everyone asking what your beauty secrets are. We want all our clients to experience this wonderful new laser service!
To qualify for this promotion, here’s what you need to do:
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- Be one of the first ten people to book before the end of June.
- Mention this blog post to reception when making your appointment.
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That’s it! We can’t wait to help you achieve a more beautiful complexion and a sexier physique. (If you’re interested in how Forma technology works, check out this video with celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas from our last post).
Here are some pictures of real clients who have done this therapy and achieved fabulous results:
Call the office today and book your free consultation with our laser therapist Andrea.
Note: this promotion is no longer being offered. We encourage you to check out some of our other spa promotions on offer this month.